Monday, March 16, 2020

The Hunger Games Book Series

The Hunger Games Book Series The Hunger Games Trilogy  is a particularly dark and gripping series of dystopian novels by Suzanne Collins, published by Scholastic Press. Overview The United States no longer exists. Instead, there is the nation of Panem, governed by a totalitarian government. The government keeps the residents of the 12 outlying districts intimidated with its strict rules and demonstrates its power over life and death with the annual Hunger Games. All of the residents of the 12 districts are required to watch the Hunger Games, the ultimate reality show, which is a life or death â€Å"game† involving two representatives from each district. The protagonist of The Hunger Games series is Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl who lives with her mother and her little sister. Katniss is very protective of her sensitive little sister, Prim, whom she loves very much. Katniss helps feed and support her family by hunting in areas designated off-limits by the government and bartering some of the meat on the black market. When her sister’s name is drawn as a contestant in the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place, and things go from bad to worse. There are no easy answers as Katniss deals with the violent Hunger Games and the dramatic results. Things are not always straightforward, and Katniss has to deal with a multitude of ethical issues as she struggles to survive. Tension builds in each book of the series, leaving the reader eager to read the next book. The ending of the trilogy in no way ties everything up in a neat bow and makes it right, but it is an ending that will stay with the reader and continue to provoke thoughts and questions. Objections to The Hunger Games (Book One) According to the  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Ã¢â‚¬â€¹American Library Association, The Hunger Games (Book One) is number 5 on the list of the ten most challenged books of 2010 (What’s a challenge?). The reasons given were â€Å"sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence.† (Source: American Library Association) Like a great many other people, I was surprised at the â€Å"sexually explicit† challenge and don’t understand what the challenger was referring to. While there is indeed a lot of violence in The Hunger Games, it is inherent to the story rather than gratuitous violence and is used to make an anti-violence point. Recommended Ages The Hunger Games trilogy may or may not be appropriate for some teens, not as a matter of age group, but depending on their interests, maturity level, and sensitivity to violence (including death) and other tough issues. I would recommend it for mature teens 12 and older, as well as adults and think they will find the trilogy to be both thought-provoking and engrossing. Awards, Recognition   The Hunger Games, the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy, has won more than 20 state awards for teen books. It was on the American Library Associations Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and Amelia Bloomer Project lists for 2009 and was awarded a 2008 CYBIL Award - Fantasy/Science Fiction. Catching Fire (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 2) is on the ALAs 2010 Best Books for Young Adults and won the 2010 Childrens Choice Book Award: Teen Choice Book of the Year and 2010 Indies Choice Award Winner, Young Adult. Books in the Hunger Games Series The Hunger Games  (Book 1, Hunger Games Trilogy).Hardcover, 384 pages (Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN: 9780439023481)Catching Fire  (Book 2, Hunger Games Trilogy).Hardcover, 400 pages (Scholastic Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780439023498)Mockingjay  (Book 3 in the Hunger Games Trilogy).Hardcover, 400 pages (Scholastic Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780439023511) Available Formats: Hardcover, large print hardcover (Book One and Book Two only), paperback (Book One only), audiobook on CD, audio for download and eBook for various eReaders. The Hunger Games Trilogy is also available in a boxed set of hardbound editions (Scholastic Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780545265355) Categories: Adventure, fantasy and science fiction, dystopian novels, young adult (YA) fiction, teen books

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Agricultural mechanics

Agricultural mechanics â€Å"Agricultural mechanics are responsible for fixing tractors, combines and other farming implements. Often, mechanics use specialized skills and experience to locate and diagnose the machine’s problem and then generate a cost-effective solution. In this endeavor, agricultural mechanics may use computer-aided systems to help troubleshoot and even repair the faulty part or parts. This position might include tasks ranging from working on an engine’s electrical system or carburetor to welding cracked pipe fittings. Job Duties These types of mechanics are responsible for a variety of tasks associated with the repair and maintenance of farming equipment.Generally, agriculture mechanics use tools to diagnose and then fix problems in a machine’s systems. This step-by-step process may involve replacement of parts or upgrading of outdated components. In some instances, only a calibration or installation is required, such as equipping a chain to a chainsaw or calibrating a fertilizer dispensing system. Job Requirements Education There are a few requirements for prospective agricultural mechanics entering the industry. Educationally, only a high school diploma is required for the majority of positions. Students should take physics, mathematics, and car repair courses while in high school to help facilitate transitioning into a job environment. Some high schools even offer cooperative education courses for gaining on-the-job experience.A few positions that work with heavy machinery, such as tractors and combines, may require completion of a college program. These technical programs vary depending on what type of machine or component is involved. Automotive courses in diesel engine repair and heavy equipment systems are possible appropriate post-secondary paths for agricultural mechanics. Work Experience Some employers require a mechanic to have some repair experience under their belt before applying. Some high schools and technical colleges provide hands-on work experience for inexperienced students. In other instances, employers hire unskilled mechanics and make them work on menial tasks at first, then gradually move them into to more labor-intensive positions. Salary Info and Job Outlook According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of farm equipment mechanics and service technicians is expected to grow by 7% from 2014-2024, which is about average for all occupations. The BLS also reported the median annual salary for this career field as $37,050 in May 2015. Agricultural maintenance technicians need to have an understanding of mechanics and heavy machinery in order to perform their duties. A high school diploma is sufficient for employment in most cases; however, jobs that involve work with heavy machinery might only be open to applicants who’ve completed a formal college training program. On-the-job training is the most common form of technical training agricultural maintenance technicians receive.†

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Retributive justice differ from restorative justice Essay - 1

Retributive justice differ from restorative justice - Essay Example This concept is foundational throughout the world. Restorative justice also known as reparative justice is an approach of justice whose focal point is on the wishes of the victims and the offenders and all the involved parties (â€Å"Restorative Justice Practice†). This approach does not look to satisfy the obvious legal principle that requires punishing an offender. These two forms of justice are very different from each other. The paper will focus on the differences between reparative justice and retributive justice. The proof of retributive justice laws’ popularity is evident through ancient materials. For example, in the ancient Jewish community, this is shown in the Law of Moses; the law included punishments such as life for life. The opinion of whether a punishment is appropriate or fit enough for a certain crime varies greatly between the different cultures of the world. Comparability  necessitates that the height of castigation should be leveled virtually to the severity of the offence. At times the punishment does not always have to be equivalent to the offence (Retributive Justice). The retributive system makes compulsory to reprimand serious offence more callously than minor offence. Conventionally, theorists of chastisement have compared retributivism with  utilitarianism. Utilitarian believe punishment is advanced and defensible by an alleged capability to achieve future social benefits such as crime decline. Retributionists believe that punishment is archaic and only justified by the offence that was committed and in agreement with the offence committed. According to people that believe in retributive justice, the seriousness of the crime is usually determined by the amount of harm caused by the offence. Reparative justice involves the victims taking an active role in the restoration process whole the offenders are encouraged to take liability for their actions. This is by apologizing and returning property that was stolen. This form of

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Protecting our Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Protecting our Environment - Essay Example Global warming and climate changes are the major outcomes of injudicious human activities. It is believed that sustainment of life in this world may become extremely difficult in near future itself if effective measures were not taken to counter environmental problems. Even though the size of the earth remains the same, global population is growing at alarming rates so that it may become extremely difficult for our earth to accommodate or cater the needs of all the people. As each individual contributes heavily to environmental problems, growth of population means growth of environmental problems also. In other words, population growth is directly proportional to environmental problems. As the world population grows, so does hazardous waste, toxic materials polluting our environment and affecting our eco-system. There should be a coordination effort by governments around the world to control pollution affecting our environment in order for human survival for future generations. Water pollution and preventive measures United States has many federal and state laws that have enacted to protect our water system and help regulate the amount of pollutants that affects our water. However, the implementation of these laws are not much effective so that American water sources are getting polluted more and more as time goes on. For example, Colorado River seems to be one of the major victims of environmental pollution in western American region. More than 30 million people use Colorado River as their major drinking water source. However, Colorado River is dying gradually because of environmental problems. â€Å"If climate change results in a 10 percent reduction in the Colorado River's average stream flow as some recent studies predict, the chances of fully depleting reservoir storage will exceed 25 percent by 2057, according to the study† (Future Of Western U.S. Water Supply Threatened By Climate Change, 2010) Irrigation projects are helping agricultural farming in America. However, water drained o ut of the agricultural lands may contain toxic ingredients because of the increased usages of fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides to improve the agricultural yields. Selenium seems to be the major harmful chemical content in irrigated water drained out of the agricultural lands. â€Å"When selenium uptake is too high health effects will be likely to come about. The health effects of various forms of selenium can vary from brittle hair and deformed nails, to rashes, heat, swelling of the skin and severe pains† (Selenium – Se, 2009). The Environmental Protection Agency, have supported and helped enforcement of water laws in our country and have introduced many laws concerning safe drinking water. The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Contr ol Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1977. Under the CWA, EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. CWA act was formulated for the purpose of preventing all types of

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder which can afflict a person throughout his lifetime: "The individual who suffers from OCD becomes trapped in a pattern of repetitive thoughts and behaviors that are senseless and distressing but extremely difficult to overcome" (http:www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/ocd.htm). Obsessions and compulsions are the two main components of this disorder. The former are often highly negative such as an ever-present fear of germs. Compulsions such as repeated handwashings are rituals designed to lessen anxiety produced by obsessions. Depending on the severity, OCD can have an adverse affect on every realm of a person's life. The outlook is optimistic, however, because research has shown that even people suffering from severe OCD may benefit from medication, behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two. Researchers have gained much insight into the cause of the disorder by comparing OCD brains with "normal" brains. There is continued debate about whether OCD is caused by neurobiological factors, environmental influences, or both. There is at least evidence to show that the brains of OCD sufferers differ from "normal" brains in systematic ways: "Recent preliminary studies of the brain using magnetic resonance imaging showed that the subjects with OCD had significantly less white matter than did normal control subjects, suggesting a widely distributed brain abnormality in OCD" (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/ocd.htm). The white matter, which lies beneath the cerebral cortex, contains axons which connect neurons in the cerebral cortex to neurons in other parts of the brain. Lowered white matter content seems to suggest that there is less intracranial communication in the brains of OCD patients. Another study showed that "persons having OCD often exhibit abnormal rates of metabolic activity [in direct correlation with the severity of the disorder] in the frontal lobe and the basal ganglia [more specifically in the orbital cortex] of the brain" (http://www.mhsource.com/hy/naf-ocd.html). It has been suggested that the orbital cortex is responsible for stimulating a "worry circuit" consisting of the "caudate nucleus, a part of the basal ganglia that helps in switching gears from one thought to another; the cingulate gyrus, which wrenches the gut with dread, and the thalamus, which processes the body's sensory inputs" (http://www.schizophrenia.com/ami/diagnosi s/ocd.html). It is hypothesized that in OCD, these 3 respective brain areas become linked in action. Susan Swedo and her colleagues at NIMH have hypothesized that because OCD behaviors have been connected with antibodies attacking the basal ganglia, repeated strep throat infections in childhood may lead the formation of the fused "worry circuit.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Outline for Dissociation and the Drama of Nothing Essay

This part can be used to introduce the whole concept of the paper. This can be the part where trauma and can be defined, as well as descriptions about dissociation. Facts such as statistics, diagnosis, and treatment can be mentioned here. The Drama of Nothing This section explains the concept involved in the treatment process of the dissociated person. This is a good place to put related literature and studies of how effective using scripts and enactments can bring out the trauma that is dissociated by the client. The Conversational Model This includes the description of the conversational model and how this model can be effective in the dissociation case of the client. Nothing to Be Done The script can be written and described here. Trauma Theory This section can be used as the theoretical framework of the paper, where the theory on trauma can be discussed and how it applies to the paper and to dissociation. The Unnamable This will involve the process of the treatment of the client, as well as the step by step procedure of the treatment. It may also discuss how the theory and the model are incorporated in the play. Conclusion This will consists of the conclusions and the generalizations regarding the topic discussed.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Macbeth, By William Shakespeare - 921 Words

On the other end of the spectrum, Macbeth must deal with the moral uncertainty of the actions he does commit. When he goes to kill Duncan, the dagger appears, which he judges to be â€Å"A dagger of the mind, a false creation /Proceeding from the heat oppressà ¨d brain† (II.i.38-39). It is something that has materialized because he has a humoral imbalance. This is the â€Å"psychic distress† Roychoudhury says, â€Å"threatens often to undo the protagonists† (218). Because his mind is not right, Macbeth goes down a path of self-destruction. Macbeth does not murder all of his possible enemies at once, it takes four separate murders until he is finished. This goes against Machiavelli’s prescription in The Prince: â€Å"Violence must be inflicts once and for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful† (32). Though the audience does not get a chance to see whether the people are resentful, Macbeth is resentful of himself. He has â€Å"terrible dreams / that shake us nightly† (III.ii.18-19), violent nightmares, because of his guilt from murdering Duncan. His own rumination contains the same idea: â€Å"If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well / It were done quickly† (I.vii.1-2). The repetition of the â€Å"w† sound evokes the madness behind Macbeth’s thoughts. This is not easy to get out when spoken. His words are more than his tongue can handle, he cannot manage to get everything done all at once. The state Macbeth usurped to obtain is in trouble by Machiavelli’s standardsShow MoreRelatedMacbeth by William Shakespeare770 Words   |  3 PagesThe play Macbeth is written by William Shakespeare. It is believed to be written between 1603 and 1607 and set in eleventh century Scotland. It is also believed to be first performed in 1606. It is considered to be one of the darkest and most powerful tragedies. Macbeth, set in Scotland, dramatizes the psy chological and political effects produced when evil is chosen to fulfill the ambition of power. The Tragedy of Macbeth is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy and tells the story of Macbeth, a ScottishRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1425 Words   |  6 PagesMacbeth Just Can’t Wait To Be King Everyone has a quality that they do not like about themselves. Some people struggle to be social, others may be too controlling of people. The list goes on and on, but the point is that everybody has a particular quality that they must learn to control or else that particular quality can get out of hand. Of course, one could write a list of characters that have major flaws. There is no better example than William Shakespeare’s character, Macbeth, in The TragedyRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1409 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.† On October 17th, I had the pleasure of going to see Macbeth performed at the Shakespeare Tavern. Along with its reputation for being â€Å"cursed,† Macbeth is also known as one of the crown jewels of William Shakespeare’s repertoire. In my opinion, the central concept of this particular retelling of the play was the murkiness of character. Throughout the pla y, the many characters go through fierce temptation and strife, and noneRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1203 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth is a play based on King James I, it was written by William Shakespeare, however this play isn’t a king and queen fairy tale, but it’s a play about greed and guilt, chaos and murder and three evil witches who use prophecies to influence Macbeth to do bad things, using flattery would instigate his inner ambition to become king, which in the end doesn’t lead to a very happy ending. Shakespeare’s, Macbeth, was written in the early Jacobean period. During those times, women had no power, theyRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1243 Words   |  5 PagesIn William Shakespeare’s â€Å"Macbeth†, the author portrays the main character Macbeth as a very tortured and flawed individual whose actions only serve to further unravel him. He is conflicted and power hungry, which drives him to perform evil murders and become a ruthless person. Macbeth’s moral compass is not resilient enough to withstand his wife’s manipulations and he is provoked to act on his malicious thoughts of murder. The author explores the terrible effects that ambition and guilt can haveRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare Essay1487 Words   |  6 Pagesreaction†. Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a tale which illuminates the consequences of violating the â€Å"Natural order†, the hierarchy of beings in the universe. When Macbeth, a warrior wel l-known for his courage and bravery, murders King Duncan acting on his unchecked ambition to claim the throne, the order was disrupted, the result†¦chaos. Shakespeare uses symbolism to illustrate the atmosphere of the play as the natural order is flung into a state of turmoil. These techniques used by Shakespeare is usedRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1483 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent references in the play of how a king deals with power and if they use it for better or for their own personal gain. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth’s obsession with his journey to power leads to his failure. This obsession is demonstrated through the prophecies, the murder of his best friend Banquo, and his own demise. Macbeth demonstrates that he is incapable of mastering the power and responsibilities of being a king. This is indicated throughout the play with theRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1045 Words   |  5 PagesBlood appears in only two forms, but many times in Macbeth by William Shakespeare; between the war scene at the beginning of the play and the lifting of Macbeth’s severed being lifted by Macduff at the end. It can be said that Macbeth could have been written in blood that there is such a large amount. What is unique about blood in Macbeth is that the â€Å"imaginary blood† or the guilt that the murderer feels plays more of a role of understand and amplifying the theme of the play, that blood is guiltRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1431 Words   |  6 Pages Macbeth, though originally a valiant and prudent soldier, deteriorates into an unwise king whose rash decisions conclusively end in the atrophy of his title, power, and position. Several facto rs contribute to the downfall of Macbeth, which produce a contagion effect and ultimately end with his demise. He receives help from his â€Å"inner ambitions and external urgings† which result in his downfall (Bernad 49). The â€Å"external urgings† consist of the weird sisters who disclose his prophecies, which enlightenRead MoreMacbeth, By William Shakespeare2060 Words   |  9 Pagesthe green one red Macbeth Quote (Act II, Sc. II). Out, out, brief candle! Life s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Macbeth Quote (Act V, Scene V). These quotes have been taken from play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare. Like these quotes there are hundreds and thousands of such heart touching quotes written by Shakespeare in his many different